Hometeam: After plea, most Gardner swim penalties stand

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 6:00 AMNov 29, 2012 at 9:43 AM

By Bob Holmes THE BOSTON GLOBE

The appeal was emotional and sometimes confrontational, but in the end the majority of the penalties imposed on Gardner High School's swim team last month were upheld yesterday by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Gardner superintendent Carol Daring, principal Donna Pierce and former interim athletic director Tim McCormick appeared before the MIAA board of directors to appeal the Oct. 22 penalties. The only penalty the MIAA reversed was on whether Gardner could host a cooperative swim program this winter. That change allows swimmers from other schools to compete for Gardner.

The penalties that remain in place include forfeiture of regular-season matches and forfeiture of the 2012 sectional title and trophy, and a two-year probation.

The presentation by the Gardner officials quickly centered on Gardner swim parent Karen Cornetta, whose daughter, Katelin, swam for the team and graduated last spring. All three officials attempted to paint the issue as one parent's opinion rather than a school-wide issue. It also got personal.

“You took the word of a woman, who may not be well, over my word,” Pierce told the board. “It became this person and that person not getting along. It became 'he said, she said'.”

Pierce started to read an email sent to her and shared with the board by the father of Katelin's college roommate that was critical of Katelin. But board member Keith Crowley, principal of St.John's Prep, stopped her, saying the email had little to do with the hearing.

“It's about the mother's character,” Pierce said. “The committee has taken the word of one parent who clearly has an agenda. This is about kids. Your decision was about an adult.”

Questioning centered on the MIAA's bona fide team rule, which led to the resignation of longtime coach Don Lemieux.

After winning the South/Central sectional title in February, Lemieux was told he couldn't attend the Division 1 state championship the next week. He resigned before the state meet and the penalties were the result of a lengthy investigation by an MIAA subcommittee.

The MIAA's October decision detailed the multiple days swimmers were allowed to miss Gardner High practices because they were participating in club activities. According to MIAA rules, “bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA.”

Under questioning by board members, Pierce said, “We did not find any evidence to suggest that (violation of bona fide rule).” But she acknowledged character issues and lesser violations existed under Lemieux.

MIAA executive director Dick Neal said, “We haven't heard yet a definitive declaration that there were no violations of the bona fide team rule.”

The board went into executive session to discuss the issue, at which it decided to reinstate the cooperative swim program this winter but leave the other penalties intact. A short time later a unanimous vote made it official.